EPILEPSY AND OTHER SEIZURES IN TI1E IIORSE. 589 
publicity being given to the idea, perhaps you will allow me 
to propose a plan by which such a benefit might be secured. 
I would ask you to have some simple instructions penned 
under your authority as to the treatment of the noble animal, 
the horse, in similar cases to that which I have related. If 
these rules were forwarded to the “ Society for the Prevention 
of Cruelty to Animals” the Committee doubtless would take up 
the subject, and by publishing the instructions in a separate 
form or appending them to their Reports, many persons who 
are now ignorant on the matter, would be informed how to 
distinguish a fit from a mere slip or stumble, when a horse is 
down, and what to do under the circumstances. Such instruc¬ 
tions should be in the hands of every coachman, groom, cab¬ 
man, and ostler in the kingdom. 
I am, Sirs, &c., 
Hum anitas. 
[We beg to thank Humanitas 33 for forwarding the above 
communication to us for publication. Too many persons 
content themselves by mere expressions of pity for the lower 
animals, and take no steps for practically obtaining for them 
any relief from their misery. Cases of horses falling in the 
streets from impaired functions of the brain are few, when 
compared with similar accidents from common causes; never¬ 
theless all persons should be familiar with the means that 
are proper to be employed to alleviate the animal’s sufferings. 
No attempt to restrain the movements by force should be 
made, other than such as are absolutely needed to prevent the 
horse doing himself injury by his ineffectual efforts to rise. 
Some straw should be quickly procured and placed under the 
bodv. The head should be slightly elevated, and cold water 
gently thrown upon it from time to time. The nostrils and 
mouth also should be sponged with cold water. The 
extremities and body should be well rubbed with the ordinary 
horse-brush. A free access of air should be allowed, and con¬ 
sequently all lookers on kept at a distance. If the horse has 
fallen in harness, the throat band of the bridle should be 
locsed, and especial attention given to either remove the collar, 
or drawit forwards, so that it does not press on thewindpipe and 
chief blood-vessels of the neck, and thus impede the return of 
blood from the head. As soon as the animal is capable of 
rising he should be assisted in so doing, and carefully walked 
into the nearest and most convenient stable, or rather airy 
loose box, and notwithstanding he may appear to have quickly 
recovered from the fit he ought not to be again put to work 
until he has been seen by a Veterinary Surgeon.] 
